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No start ignition issue

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1.2K views 12 replies 4 participants last post by  sefiro  
#1 · (Edited)
This problem started on Dec 19th. I bought new plug wires since the old ones were melting due to old age, new distributor cap and ignition rotor since they were in bad condition.

Replaced the plug wires, distributor cap and rotor and now my Celica won’t start. Tested if it was a fuel issue but to fully finish diagnosing any fuel issues the car needs to be able to run. I’ve taken out the distributor housing and installed it like 4 times now, making sure that everything is timed correctly and it still won’t start.

I understand that the plastic rotor needs to be on the 1st cylinder and timed accordingly for the other cylinders. I followed every direction to the best of my knowledge using the Haynes manual but this car is making me seriously consider if I’m dumb or not.

If anyone has any information regarding the issue I’m running into it would help out a lot as I have work tomorrow and it still won’t start. T-T
the engine is a 3S-FE and the model year is a 1986.
I included some pics in the reply’s just to show I got that timing part correct
 
#3 ·
Your last photo appears to be of the end of the camshaft under the valve cover - with the distributor removed. Did you remove the distributor? If so, why? For the items you replaced, you wouldn't remove the distributor.

For the distributor cap and rotor (assuming the distributor is original to that engine and car), what exactly did you buy (what manufacturer and what part number)?
 
#4 · (Edited)
Your last photo appears to be of the end of the camshaft under the valve cover - with the distributor removed. Did you remove the distributor? If so, why? For the items you replaced, you wouldn't remove the distributor.

For the distributor cap and rotor (assuming the distributor is original to that engine and car), what exactly did you buy (what manufacturer and what part number)?
I ended up taking the distributor out after the car didn’t turn on when I replaced the plug wires and the rotor.
My step dad insisted that I had timed it wrong and that’s the reason why the car won’t start, but I installed everything correctly and showed him that I had done everything correctly and that it might be something else causing the issue.

The plug wires I got were a duralast gold set and it included a new distributor cap, the part number is A801253 and the ignition rotor's part number is DR925
 
#5 ·
I would assume your new parts aren't compatible. I recently changed the distributor on my 1996 celica and I made sure to keep the rotor pointing the same angle. Car started up fine. You want to make sure that the distributor is properly grounded and that it makes proper contact with the engine block.
 
#10 ·
Is it possible that the resistance of your new spark plug wires doesn't match OEM? Have you checked?
You can put the old wires back on and see if that makes any difference. My OEM wires have resistance of about 6 kOhm. The aftermarket ones that I've tried have much lower resistance (though not sure if it matters).
 
#13 ·
I wonder if you are off 180 deg. The engine is 4 stroke so the piston is at top 2x in its cycle. The other top is after expelling exhaust and before pulling in fuel and air.

Try another revolution. Rotate to top. Pull the distributor, rotate 360 to the next top and reinsert distributor (without adjustment)